Katie Prill, 14, is expressive and animated as she commands Kattie to walk, trot and stop. In celebrity fashion, she waves to the crowd as she trots around the ring at the Huntington Beach Therapeutic Riding Center. Riding helps with balance and posture. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

By the numbers

It costs up to $6,000 a month to provide for the horses at the Huntington Beach Therapeutic Riding Center. There are veterinary costs, food costs and stabling costs. Here's a look at some of the expenditures needed to keep the center up and running.

Number of Stalls: Five

Stable costs: $2,500 a month, which includes some feed.

Farrier: Also called "shoeing" costs, about $500 every six weeks.

Bedding: $300 a month

Treats: About $200 a month, although the HBTRC doesn't like to give their horses too many treats because it can teach them bad habits.

Horse Day Care: $500 a month

DONATE:

The Therapeutic Riding Center will hold its biggest fundraiser, Derby Days, on May 4 at the center, 18381 Goldenwest St.

Those interested in donating can also do so by mail: P.O. Box 2298, Huntington Beach, CA, 92647

These students have varying mental or physical disabilities, so learning to ride is more than an after-school hobby. It is something that makes them stronger and more confident.

"Equine-assisted therapy uses different exercises and provides therapy without the kids even knowing it," said Donna Brandt, instructor and president of the riding center's board. "They are up on the horses having to hold themselves upright and using muscles a therapist would ask them to use."

Students enrolled in Brandt's current 10-week session include a 14-year-old girl with Down syndrome; a 7-year-old girl with a sensory processing disorder; a blind woman; and Brandt's 21-year-old daughter Jamie, who battles apraxia, a brain and nervous system disorder.

"We provide therapy to children and adults with a wide variety of disabilities, including cerebral palsy, autism, multiple sclerosis, ADHD and amputees," Brandt said.

The students' love for riding is apparent as they mount their horses on a recent Tuesday.

Huge smiles stretch across their faces as they walk and trot their horses around the arena. Classes usually include a warm-up in which students stretch while sitting on top of the horses and play games like "red light, green light" on horseback.

The center opened in 1990 at the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center.

The group holds fundraisers and looks for grants to keep its operation – which costs up to $6,000 a month – up and running.

Sometimes horses are donated, other times they're purchased. Each horse – whether it's a pony, quarter horse or standard breed – undergoes a 90-day test period to ensure its demeanor is suitable for the riding center.

"For most of these horses, this is their last life before we retire them," Brandt said. "We pay for that and don't euthanize them."

All of the instructors are certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International and volunteer their time.

"None of us make any money doing this ... we do it because we want to," Brandt said.

Related Links

Katie Prill, 14, is expressive and animated as she commands Kattie to walk, trot and stop. In celebrity fashion, she waves to the crowd as she trots around the ring at the Huntington Beach Therapeutic Riding Center. Riding helps with balance and posture. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Donna Brandt, instructor and president of the Riding Center's Board, leads an equine-assisted therapy class. The Therapeutic Riding Center will hold its biggest fundraiser, Derby Days, on May 4 at the center, 18381 Goldenwest St. Those interested in donating to the center can also do so by mail: P.O. Box 2298, Huntington Beach, CA, 92647. Or donate online: trchb.org CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Katie Prill, 14, riding Kattie is all smiles at the Huntington Beach Therapeutic Riding Center where children and adults with disabilities participate in animal therapy classes. She grew up in Redding where her dad said she was the only girl with Down syndrome in her area, which made it difficult for her to socialize. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Donna Brandt, instructor and president of the Riding Center's Board, helps Samantha Rose, 7, get on Lulu. Rose, who has a sensory processing disorder, struggles with loud sounds, certain textures, rooms that are too dark and, at one time, could only play with one other person at a time, her grandparents said. She has improved significantly in all those through the Therapeutic Riding Center, according to her grandparents. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Amy Taylor, 12, is learning to overcome her fear of horses after falling off one with help from her mom, Cindy. Amy is taking it slowly and is starting with just petting the horses at the center. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Donna Brandt, instructor and president of the Riding Center's Board, leads a stop and go exercise. Equine-assisted therapy aids with posture, balance, upper body strength while the warmth of the horse also relaxes tense or spastic muscles, according to Brandt. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Katie Prill, 14, left, and Christine Nakagaki, 22, say goodbye at the Huntington Beach Therapeutic Riding Center. The center has been operating since 1990. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Katie Prill, 14, is outgoing and bubbly. Learning to ride horses has helped bring this once shy girl out of her shell, according to her dad, David Gill. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Donna Brandt, instructor and president of the Riding Center's Board, calls out, "Amy Taylor" to the 12-year-old who stopped riding horses after she fell off one. Taylor's mom and therapist wanted to get her reintroduced to horses. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Katie Prill, 14, walks with her dad David Gill at the Huntington Beach Therapeutic Riding Center where children and adults with disabilities participate in animal therapy classes. The center opened in 1990 at the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center. The group holds fundraisers and look for grants to keep their operation up and running, which costs up to about $6,000 a month. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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